Beneath the Surface: Senatorial Candidates in GMA’s election specials

CEBU, Philippines - Days before the official campaign period begins, the voting public learned vital facts about the senatorial candidates, thanks to GMA-7’s “Hiritan 2013” of Unang Hirit, GMA News TV’s “In Depth” of News To Go, and DZBB’s “Ikaw na Ba?”.

Apart from presenting the roster of hopefuls running for office in the upcoming midterm elections, these segments were primarily conceptualized to help the voting public get to know the people who may soon be the country’s leaders: from their background, affiliations, track record, stand on the most pressing issues, to their personality.

Out of 33 senatorial candidates, 29 were able to participate in Hiritan 2013 which gave all the participating candidates equal opportunity—well-known, independent, and lesser-known ones alike—in an engaging and highly-educational setting.

With three rounds of intense questioning, the audience was given an idea as to how each senatorial candidate views a particular issue. In Round 1, facilitated by veteran broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio, they were asked the “Question of the Day” on a current divisive issue such as divorce, same sex marriage, total gun ban, and anti-cybercrime law to name a few.

Round 2 featured the “Panel and the People” with questions coming from Unang Hirit’s resident analyst Prof. Winnie Monsod, the Network’s election coverage partners in the industry and academe, a member of the live audience, and social media followers. In the last and most awaited part of the segment, Round 3, the candidates answered questions from each other.

Hiritan 2013 not only sparked interest among the viewers as it also created an impact on the social media strata. Netizens from the micro-blogging site Twitter said Hiritan 2013 proved to be an effective venue where the public may familiarize themselves with the senate hopefuls:

Leio Justimbaste (@justimbaste) tweeted: “Goodjob @UnangHirit! Ang #Hiritan2013 ay nagsilbing hakbang upang makilatis ang mga susunod na lider ng bansa. #DapatTama”

“Good Job @UnangHirit @gmanews Nakilala po namin ng lubos ang mga iboboto namin sa Mayo! Congrats Kapuso!” Mocking-Jay Dayondon (@uglyworm87) said in his tweet.

The hashtag #Hiritan2013 even made it to the top trending topics list of Philippines ’ Twitter on several occasions. On 21 January, Hiritan’s 2013’s launch, it was the top trending topic. It became number two on January 23 and once again managed to snag the top spot on February 6. 

GMA News TV’s In Depth of News To Go took on a different treatment with anchors GMA News pillar Howie Severino and Peabody winner Kara David putting the 29 participating candidates on the spot in a five-minute no-holds-barred interview.

During the one-on-one interview, fast facts about the particular candidate were shown on the screen like achievements, past positions, advocacies and legislative work if any.

The candidates were not only asked about hard core issues but also about their personality and character thereby giving the audience a glimpse on the personal life they lead. The latter proved to be the most revealing portion as the interviewees are asked whether they ever lied, cried, cheated, and what their interests and pet peeves are among others.

Finally, in DZBB’s Ikaw Na Ba?, hosted by GMA News pillar Mike Enriquez, all 33 aspirants were put on the hot seat answering questions that presented their credentials as well as their character all for the listeners to learn.

Through the informative and engaging discussions provided by Hiritan 2013, In Depth, and Ikaw Na Ba?, the Network has indeed helped the electorate come up with informed decisions come election time.

Hiritan 2013, In Depth, and Ikaw Na Ba? are part of the Network’s election projects in line with GMA News and Public Affairs’ advocacy DAPAT TAMA.